Dutton Kit Cars and their owners

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Comment by Big Vern on June 9, 2012 at 22:59: " Does your keyboard have a cold Vern? " Yes the lappy keyboard is clogged with hobnob crumbs andthespacebar doesn'twork unless hit with a hammer :-)))))

If you want it to look like the early B type with the log bonnet then you'll be better to find one. The Phaeton S3 and S4 chassis is the same as the Melos with the engine and seating position much further forward in the chassis, and the chassis is wider further forward.

I love the early B type look and this is what I was trying to achieve with my S3 when I first got it. Became clear if I wanted the early long bonnet look I'd have to find an earlier car. I then bought the S1 that Pete Clayton now has.

Have gone back to the S3 with Eagle P21 bodywork. Cockpit has more space and is easier to get in and out of. Good early bodywork not now available so sold the S1 to Pete.

I'm speaking with Pete Brown next week I'll ask him if he has the tooling for the B plus S2 bonnet.

Comment by Adrian Southgate on June 9, 2012 at 22:33: Does your keyboard have a cold Vern?

I want it to look like the picture I posted (but shiny) and if I have to change things then so be it :-)

I was looking at the S2 bodywork on ebay but can't justify another project just yet.

I was even tempted to 'do a Tom' and widen the body over a granada setup but decided on a crossflow screamer or something jap based. Anyroad, got a Sierra to finish first :-) and today the legerra won't start :-(

Guess its a Dutton fix day tomorrow.

Comment by Big Vern on June 9, 2012 at 22:10: Whe I daid B plus S2 I meant what you'll end up with will look much more like this than the B type you posted

Comment by Adrian Southgate on June 9, 2012 at 18:18: B+ S4 and I have some nice stainless bar to make the 5 link from, will need rose joints and new suspension brackets making on the chassis. Can't have cart springs, won't go low enough and don't fit the 'look' I'm after.

I know I've set myself a task but It will be the only Phaeton I do so I had best make it a good one.

Comment by Big Vern on June 9, 2012 at 15:48: So you'll end up with a B+ S2 then. Will need to shorten the rear of the chassis if you want to lose the 'bumper' then the leaf springs won't fit :-(

I guess the sides were cut out to release the tub because he couldn't 'get in' to cut away the tub. You have to do it from underneath ideally its best to turn the shell over but still not easy. Some have the sides cut out when fitting ally side panels, never understood that!

Comment by Adrian Southgate on June 9, 2012 at 13:30: I have no idea why the previous owner cut the tub out unless it was to repair his phaeton, the guy I got it from had bought it like that and just wanted the bonnet. All a bit confusing but the whole thing has been recycled into about four different cars. My bit is 'mint' gelcoat with no screw holes, never been on the road.

The tub was cut out from the outside with a jigsaw so its all very irregular and an odd bit has been cut out on one side (door lip) I'll take some shots when I let it down from the roof space of the lockup.

Comment by Big Vern on June 9, 2012 at 11:52: Interesting, how come each side is different ?

I just cut all the way round - it was clear where the inner (tub) gelcoat ended and the coloured outer skin began. It's just a fiddle getting down the sides as you can barely get your hand in.

Tub is fitted to the skin with it all upside down - make a jig to hold the tub in right place relative to the skin then wet out some 4" wide strps of heavy weight mat to join back together.

Comment by Adrian Southgate on June 9, 2012 at 10:19: I paid £20 for the Eagle outer body and the tub had already been removed. Its not that simple though as each side is different. My plan was to get a rolling chassis set up at the required height, drop the outer body over it as one unit (bonnet bolted on too) get it at the height I wanted it then measure the distance between the mounting points and the shell. Cut the old tub out of the S3 and trim to fit in the hole. Use the odd bits of fibre glass to gap fill and then make an outer skin from foam and matting, turn it over and go in with the heavy stuff to join the tub back to the shell.

Its having clamshells, quad headlights and will be as low as a westie when i'm done. Basically an updated version of the B series. I have lorry sized 'hamburger' lights for the rear which will be LED's not bulbs and the rear bumper moulding will be removed to reshape the rear into a more streamlined shape. Full underskin but only a modified 1300 xflow to cut down on the road tax.

It will end up like this. (excuse the crap picture as I haven't finished 'painting it'.

Comment by Big Vern on June 9, 2012 at 9:57: Ade, Never did get to the bottomof this, did your Eagle body not come with the floor pan?

I will get some pictures later of where you need to cut to separate the skin - hard part is up the sides above the top chassis rail as there's not much you can get in with to cut -maybe an oscilating saw?

Comment by Big Vern on June 7, 2012 at 10:27: Ade did your Eagle body not come with the tub ?

Also exactly what aprt of the old shell did Steve need ? Might have a spare shell coming up soon.

Ade I'll send you a few pics later as I know where most of the cuts need to be made.

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